edema

noun ede·ma \ i-ˈdē-mə \

Updated on: 27 Apr 2018

Definition of edema

1 : an abnormal infiltration and excess accumulation of serous fluid in connective tissue or in a serous cavity — called also dropsy

2 a : watery swelling of plant organs or parts

b : any of various plant diseases characterized by such swellings

—

edematous

play \i-ˈde-mə-təs\ adjective

See edema defined for kids

Recent Examples of edema from the Web

But its most deadly side effect is triggering a pulmonary edema by filling lungs with fluid.

— david hambling, Popular Mechanics, "These Are Syria's Chemical Weapons. Here's How To Destroy Them," 13 Apr. 2018
The association said the potential side effects of ingesting detergent are seizure, pulmonary edema, respiratory arrest, coma and death. . . . . .

— marie simoneaux, NOLA.com, "Police investigating shooting in the 7th Ward: NOPD," 10 Feb. 2018
If eaten in high enough levels, the poisons can lead to lethal fluid buildup in the lungs (pulmonary edema).

— beth mole, Ars Technica, "Two women lost their hair after eating toxic, bitter squash, doctors report," 7 Apr. 2018
The 76ers released a statement Tuesday that says X-rays were negative but an MRI shows bone edema (fluid) and a small crack at the top of the fibula.

— heather tucker, USA TODAY, "Sixers' JJ Redick out indefinitely with left leg injury," 16 Jan. 2018
Bleeding and swelling of the macula results in macular edema and eventually, maculopathy, while starvation of the retina leads to a chain-reaction of negative events that eventually results in diabetic retinopathy.

— Jewish Journal, "Taking a stand against hookah smoking on Passover, or anytime," 12 Mar. 2018
Another climber would also perish on the mountain, from an edema, over the course of their journey.

— chelsey lewis, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "From Milwaukee to the tallest mountain in the Western Hemisphere: Climbing Aconcagua," 9 Mar. 2018
Swallowing highly concentrated laundry detergent can cause seizures, pulmonary edema, respiratory arrest, coma, and even death, health officials warn.

— alexander coolidge, Cincinnati.com, "Tide Pods: Despite 'The Challenge,' P&G doubles down on detergent pouches," 8 Feb. 2018
Two days later, Muss suffered complications from a postoperative pulmonary edema.

— adam carlson, PEOPLE.com, "From a Coma to the Olympics: How an American Snowboarder Rebounded in Less Than 4 Years," 24 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'edema.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of edema

New Latin, from Greek oidēma swelling, from oidein to swell; akin to Armenian aytnu- swell, Old English ātor poison

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Medicine Terms

analgesia, angina, diabetes, hepatitis, homeopathy, logorrhea, palliate, pandemic

Medical Dictionary

edema

noun ede·ma

variants: or chiefly British oedema play \i-ˈdē-mə\

medical Definition of edema

plural edemas also edemata \-mət-ə\

: an abnormal excess accumulation of serous fluid in connective tissue or in a serous cavity — called also dropsy

Learn More about edema

See words that rhyme with edema Spanish Central: Translation of edema Nglish: Translation of edema for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of edema for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about edema

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up edema? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

edema

Definition of edema

edematous

Recent Examples of edema from the Web

Origin and Etymology of edema

Other Medicine Terms

Medical Dictionary

edema

medical Definition of edema

Learn More about edema

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

garrulous

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

12 Words from All Over the Map

'Ingenious' and 'Ingenuous': More Than a Typo

A Matter-of-Fact Look at 'Deadpan'

9 Words from the Magical Realm

Ask the Editors

Ghost Word

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

Literally

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

Word Games

Words Used by Nabokov Quiz

Farm Idioms Quiz

Spell It

Word Winder's CrossWinder

12 Words from All Over the Map

'Ingenious' and 'Ingenuous': More Than a Typo

Words Used by Nabokov Quiz

Trending: Melania Trump Undergoes 'Embolization'

Ghost Word

edema

Definition of edema

edematous

Recent Examples of edema from the Web

Origin and Etymology of edema

Other Medicine Terms

Medical Dictionary

edema

medical Definition of edema

Learn More about edema

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

12 Words from All Over the Map

'Ingenious' and 'Ingenuous': More Than a Typo

Words Used by Nabokov Quiz

Trending: Melania Trump Undergoes 'Embolization'

Ghost Word